Coast Guard Ends Oil Spill Response in Venice, LA

NEW ORLEANS — The Coast Guard has completed operations, Monday, as part of the cleanup of a pollution response in Breton Sound near Venice.

Oil Mop, the oil spill response organization contracted to conduct the cleanup, deployed containment boom in environmentally sensitive shoreline areas to mitigate the threat of potential impacts. But, there has been no product reported in these areas.

Aerial assessments were used to direct skimming boats to areas that may have had pockets of pollution; however, the skimming boats were not able to recover any petroleum product because the original oil ribbon rapidly weathered, broke down and disintegrated.

There were approximately 140 responders, 43 vessels, two unmanned aerial surveillance and one small manned aircraft utilized for the response. Approximately 10,000 feet of hard boom and 5,000 feet of sorbent boom material were utilized to protect North Breton Island and the Federal Delta Wildlife Refuge.

Responders observed no additional heavy oil and no shoreline impacts. No dispersants were used.

Agencies involved in the response include Coast Guard Sector New Orleans; the U.S. Coast Guard National Strike Force’s Gulf Strike Team from Mobile, Ala.; Louisiana Oil Spill Coordinator’s Office; and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.

Both the Coast Guard and the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management, Regulation and Enforcement are investigating the incident. The source of the oily substance has not yet been determined and the Coast Guard will remain vigilant in responding to any future sightings and pollution reports.